Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting from Skagway

Six and a half hours on the river with thousands of eagles, a picnic lunch, and no paddle required

Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve rafting from Skagway is a small group scenic float trip (no whitewater) through the home of the world's largest bald eagle congregation, with a 45-minute scenic drive, a local guide who poles the raft while you watch for wildlife, lunch, and ferry transfer between Skagway and Haines included. Children from age 7 are welcome. A minimum of two people is required to open the tour.

The experience

You arrive in Skagway and have a full afternoon or morning free. The tour picks you up at your ship or hotel and drives 45 minutes through glacier-clad mountains and wildflowers to reach the Chilkat River in the heart of the Preserve. The drive itself is the scenic warm-up: you see the landscape before you float through it. Once at the river, you don your life jacket, listen to the safety talk, and board the raft.

For roughly an hour and a half, your guide poles the raft down silent river channels while you keep your hands free for a camera or binoculars. This is a float trip, not a paddle trip. The guide does the work. Thousands of bald eagles nest and feed here, especially in fall and winter when salmon runs bring them in. In spring and summer you watch for eagles raising their young. Moose, otters, brown and black bears, and wolves also live in the Preserve. The guide explains what makes this ecosystem work and what to watch for. The river moves slowly enough that you can actually see and photograph what passes.

After the float, your guide picks a scenic spot for a picnic lunch on the way back to Haines or Skagway. The lunch is a turkey sandwich on whole wheat, fruit, a freshly baked cookie and water. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available with 48 hours notice. The Haines-Skagway ferry transfer is included, so the logistics of getting between the two towns are handled. The whole outing runs six and a half hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Port or hotel pickup in Skagway.
• scenic drive to the Chilkat River.
• raft, life jacket and safety briefing.
• one and a half hours floating the river with a local guide.
• picnic lunch with turkey sandwich, fruit, cookie and water (vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available with 48 hours notice).
• ferry transfer between Skagway and Haines.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 16 May 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Child (7 to 12 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 14

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Rainbow Glacier Adventures

Is this one for you?This is a shared small group tour with a guide who poles the raft, so you watch and photograph rather than paddle. It suits anyone who wants to see the eagles and wildlife without the physical demand of paddling, or who prefers a guided experience to self-directed rafting.

Traveler reviews

4.57★★★★★★★★★★

35 verified traveler reviews

5 ★27

4 ★4

3 ★1

2 ★3

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 12 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

Can I bring my camera and binoculars on the raft?

Yes. Your hands stay free the entire float because the guide poles the raft, so you can hold a camera or binoculars the whole time and photograph or watch the eagles and other wildlife without putting them down.

What is the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve and why are so many eagles there?

The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is home to the world's largest congregation of bald eagles. Thousands gather here to feed on salmon, especially in fall and winter. In spring and summer, you see eagles nesting and raising their young. The river's ecosystem supports the salmon runs that draw them, which your guide explains as you float.

Do I have to paddle the raft myself?

No. Your guide poles the raft down the river, so you don't paddle. This is a scenic float trip with no whitewater, and your job is to watch for eagles, bears, moose and otters while the guide handles the raft and narrates what you're seeing.

What happens if I have dietary restrictions?

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free lunch options are available if you request them at least 48 hours before the tour. The standard lunch is a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread, fresh fruit, a cookie and water.

Does the tour include transportation from my cruise ship or hotel?

Yes. Port pickup from your cruise ship or hotel pickup is included. If you're a cruise passenger, provide your ship name when you book so the operator knows where to meet you. Hotel guests should provide their hotel name for pickup.